Chain-tightening tool.



6. W. RUTHVEN.

CHAIN TIGHTENING TOOLI APPLICATION FILED IIINEza. leila.

1 ,276,8 1 5 `laenml Aug. 27, 1918.

vmwntoz voiion'on w. RUTHVEN, OFDONNA, TEXAS.

*CHAIN-TIGHTENING Toot.

specification ofiietters'ratent. Patented Aug. 27, 1918.

'Applicationv Viledl'une 23,?1915.` Serial-1102135316.

To all whom t 'may concern: c c

Be iti-knownV that I,-GEORGE WV. RUTHVEN, acitizen of the 'UnitedStates residing yat Donna, in they county-of Hidalgo and-'State of Texas, liave invented certain new and uset'ul Improvements in Chain -Tightening Tools, or which the'following is a specification.

My present invention relates to an improved tool to tighten "chains-on autoincbile wheels, etc. l

The main object of the device' is to provide a thoroughly eiiicient tool of thisV` char-l acter which is simile in construction and may he manufactured at a comparatively low cost. l

In carrying into effect this main object I have provided a tool of the above nature which will automatically lock when the required adjustment is attained in order that both hands of the operator will be free to manipulate the chain fastening device. Va-

rious other objects and advantages will become apparent during the continuance of thc following description.

rIhe above and other objects which will become apparent are accomplished by such means as shown in their. preferred form in the accompanying drawings, described in the following specification and then more speciiically pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like character designate like parts throughout the several views;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention. A

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow. A

My invention consists generally of a pair of substantially complemental levers which include body portions 10 and 11, provided at one end with handles 12 and 13 while their other ends are curved to form op.- positely extending arms 111 and 15. Adjacent their respective outer extremities, the

arms 1-1 and 15 are cut away to provide suitable gripping lips or hooks 16 and 17 which in the use of my invention serve to engage the respective portions of the tire chain. In assembling the levers, the arms 14: and 15 respectively are pivotally connected through the medium of a rivet 18 at a point appreciably below the point of bending of the arms from the bodies 10 and 11,

thus by 1 reason ot' the proportion of length of thevrespectivebodies, la 'greater leverage winay beobtainedwhen manipulating the device. j

-In consistence lwith thet'oregoing I have provided.means for locking the respective levers in a rigid position rafter the tire chain has been tightened to `a desired degree, in

`Vorderthat-the operator may have the use fot both hands when adjusting the chain :tas-

tene'r. To this end, the body 11 is provided with a suitably curved seginental rack 19 ywhich is secured thereto through the medium ot' the rivets 20. The teeth 21 on the rack are preferably on the upper edge thereof in order that they may be positively engaged by a pivoted dog on the other body 10. For the purpose of guiding the seomentalracl during the movei'nent of the respective bodies, the body 10 is provided with a guiding bracket which is rigid thereon as at Q3 and engages the rack in the manner clearly illustrated.

A dog Q4; is pivoted to the body 10 at a point 25 which is in proximity to the rack 19 and carries an enlarged Vportion 26 for the purpose of receiving one end of a red '27. The other end of the rod 27 has connection with an intermediate portion of a bell crank, operating lever 28 which is in turn pivotally connected to the body 10 vas at 29. It will now be recognized that the bodies may move toward each other to tighten the respective chain sections 30 and 31 to a desired degree. However at the termination of such adjustment the dog 24 will engage the abrupt face. of the adjacent one of the teeth Q1 in the manner which will prevent.

limited to use in combination with tirev chains as the same may be advantageously employed for other purposes if it is so desired.

In reducing my invention to practice I `find that the form referred to herein as the most practical and preferred embodiment is the most eliicient, but realizing that een tain conditions will necessarily Vary in concurrence with the adoption of my device, I desire to emphasize the fact that various minor changes in the details of construction and in the proportion of parts may be resorted to when required Without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention asdefined in the appended claim.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as neu7 and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A tire chain tightening tool, comprising `like members, each having a handle at one end and a curved arm at the opposite end terminating- 1n a hook, said members having their curved arms crossing and pivoted at the point of crossing, a segmental rack secured rigidly to one member, a guide secured to the othel member and embracingthe segmental rack, the end( of the guide facing the toothed edge of the rack being open, a dog pivoted to the member provided with the guide and disposed opposite the open end of said guide to engage the toothed edge of the rack, and manually operable means mounted on the member carrying the dog and guide adjacent the handle of said member and connected With the dog for operation thereof.

In testimony whereof I afhx my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE IV. RUTHVEN.

Vitnesses A J. R. HUGHES, B. C. RUTHVEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

' Washington, D. C. 

